Journalism Degree in Waukegan, IL — Salary & ROI 2026
Journalism degree analysis for Waukegan, IL. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$40K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$56K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
14.3 yrs
in Waukegan
Cost of Living
90.3
index (100 = avg)
Journalism in Waukegan, IL Overview
While Waukegan has a smaller college scene with 4 institutions, Journalism students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $13,641/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Although national enrollment in Journalism has been declining, graduates with skills in Reporting and Investigative Journalism remain competitive in the job market. The adjusted starting salary in Waukegan is approximately $39,732.
Category
Communications
Local Colleges
4
Public Tuition
$15,400/yr
Private Tuition
$38,000/yr
Room & Board
$13,641/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,734/yr
Unemployment
5.1%
Graduation Rate
74%
Journalism Salary in Waukegan (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Waukegan's cost of living index of 90.3 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Journalism salary: $44,000 starting, $62,000 mid-career, $78,000 senior level.Waukegan adjustment factor: 0.90x based on the local cost of living index.
Journalism ROI Calculator for Waukegan
Estimate your return on investment for a Journalism degree using local Waukegan tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $15,400 | Private avg: $38,000
Waukegan avg aid: $13,734/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$116,164
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$8,127
vs HS diploma in Waukegan
ROI Payback Period
14.3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Waukegan
$136,676
Lifetime earnings premium ($252,840) minus total education cost ($116,164)
Student Loan Payoff for Journalism in Waukegan
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Waukegan for Journalism
Waukegan State University
public
$15,619/yr
$62,476 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Waukegan Community College
$4,848/yr
Top Employers for Journalism in Waukegan
Waukegan offers opportunities in Media companies, PR agencies, Tech companies for Journalism graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Waukegan Hiring Sectors for Communications
Media companies
PR agencies
Tech companies
Marketing firms
Publishing
Common Journalism Job Titles
Journalism in Nearby Illinois Cities
Chicago, IL
$48K starting · COL 109
98 colleges
Aurora, IL
$41K starting · COL 92.8
7 colleges
Joliet, IL
$48K starting · COL 108
12 colleges
Naperville, IL
$45K starting · COL 102
13 colleges
Rockford, IL
$40K starting · COL 90
8 colleges
Elgin, IL
$35K starting · COL 79
13 colleges
Springfield, IL
$40K starting · COL 92
9 colleges
Peoria, IL
$46K starting · COL 104
5 colleges
Other Communications Majors in Waukegan
Journalism Degree in Waukegan — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Journalism ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Waukegan.